Replies

1. 
   Samson | Dec 06, 2008 12:36am | #1

   What  I think you want are buttons.  An elongated groove is (usually) routed into the apron to accept a tongue from the button that is screwed to the tabletop from below.  A picture is worth a thousand words: (see below)

    

   The buttons are easy to make by chopping up a rabbetted strip.  Then make when you install them that you leave room for the movement of the tongue in that groove -the top to expand across its width.

   
   

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   Edited 12/5/2008 4:38 pm ET by Samson

   
1. 
   artnumber1 | Dec 06, 2008 02:44am | #2

   Thanks. That looks like the way to go. I had never built a project like this before. Not even a M/T joint, and there are 22 of them.

2. 
   Dave45 | Dec 06, 2008 05:46pm | #3

   I use figure eights. They look like two flat washers joined at their edges with countersunk holes. One side is screwed to the aprons, and the top is screwed to the other side from underneath.

   They're easy to use, inexpensive, invisible, and allow the top to move slightly as it expands/contracts.

1. 
   artnumber1 | Dec 08, 2008 11:49pm | #6

   Sorry I took so long to reply. Sat, Sun and all. I have just found the figure eights in the Rockler catalog. Are These the ones you referred to?. They are listed as Deck Top Fasteners. I'm leaning toward them because I didn't have the foresight to prepare the aprons prior to assembling the table. (Less the top).

1. 
   Dave45 | Dec 09, 2008 12:04am | #7

   Art -Your timing couldn't have been better. I'm on my way back to the shop to install some figure eights on an end table I'm making. Pictures by this evening. - lol

1. 
   artnumber1 | Dec 09, 2008 12:28am | #9

   Question. Does LOL mean 'Lots of Love, Lots of Luck or laugh Out Loud?
   Art

1. 
   Dave45 | Dec 09, 2008 02:15am | #10

   I use it as "Laugh Out Loud", but you're free to interpret it however you like. (ROFLMAO) (Rolling On Floor Laughing My Azz Off)No pictures after all - my camera has died. It's almost four years old and has taken upwards of 1500 pictures and has decided that the batteries don't want to recharge anymore. Guess it's time for a letter to Santa. You'll have to trust me when I sa that the end tables sure look good though - lol.

3. 
   Lataxe | Dec 07, 2008 01:23am | #4

   Art,

   Here is a good FWW article on this site:

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2349

   Lataxe

4. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 08, 2008 01:03am | #5

   I also use figure 8's.  They're very easy to install, and work well, allowing the top to move.

   http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=786

   There you go.

   Jeff

1. 
   artnumber1 | Dec 09, 2008 12:26am | #8

   I didn't get to your message until I had already asked the question about the figure eights. I have just ordered them. Thanks to all for the help. I have been a "pretend woodworker" for about 20 years. This is my first real(!) project. Hopefully the second table will be easier.

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 09, 2008 02:58am | #11

   Keep at it, and enjoy yourself.  We all started out as new woodworkers at some point in our lives.  Ask questions here.  For the most part, you will find all the answers here.

   Jeff